What to do with the autumn leaves
Autumn fascinates with its bright colors. Colorful leaves decorate parks, paths and gardens. For allotment gardeners, however, the mountains of autumn leaves are a challenge every year. But there are options for sustainable recycling.
Autumn leaves are not unusable waste, but an important part of the biological cycle. It promotes soil life and contributes to soil improvement. Small animals, plants and humans also benefit from the colored leaves.
Autumn leaves protect the soil from attack
Once the harvest has been brought in, bare beds are often left behind. Now the ground is exposed to cold, wind, drought, rain and snowmelt without protection. Valuable nutrients are washed out and lost through erosion. You can counteract this.
- By layering a cover of leaves on the bed surface, you protect the soil from attack. The nutrients it contains provide valuable food for microorganisms and earthworms. These in turn help with the decomposition of the leaves. In the end, valuable humus is created, which the plants need for healthy growth.
- Likewise, the autumn leaves can take the roots of the Perennials and protect bushes from excessive cold. To do this, simply pile up the leaves around the plants.
Tip: If you sprinkle some lime on the soil in front of the leaves, the leaves will rot better.
Many hobby gardeners ask themselves again every autumn: where to put all the leaves, ...
Create winter quarters for the animals
While the autumn leaves are waste for some, others benefit from it. It serves as protective winter quarters for numerous animals.
- By building loose piles of leaves on the edge of the garden and in sheltered places, you can offer hedgehogs, reptiles and insects Shelter.
- These in turn kill pests, improve the soil and bring life to your garden. They are part of an intact ecosystem.
Decorate your home with colorful leaves
- The autumn leaves with the most beautiful colors and shapes are suitable for beautifying your home. Let your imagination run wild and make garlands, window pictures, collages, wreaths and greeting cards. Chestnuts, pine cones, acorns, nuts and pine needles are ideal for combining.
- In order for the handicraft to succeed, you should dry the leaves beforehand. To do this, you simply need to place the individual pieces between wooden plates and two sheets of paper or in a heavy book for a few days.
